This Sunday, we read the greater portion of the last chapter of John's Gospel. Scholars believe that section was added on to the gospel later, probably by one of the disciples of John. The story mentions seven disciples: Simon Peter, who is to the fore throughout the story; Thomas; Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee; James and John; and two others who are not named. Simon Peter decides to go fishing. The others accompany him in the boat. They fish all night, but catch nothing. Remember now when this was written. It is an addendum to the original gospel, which was written probably by 90AD. We are probably into the second century AD when this postscript was added; a time of persecution. The author is writing perhaps 100 years after the resurrection. So he is not trying to write down the Easter story lest it be lost forever. That has already been done. The full Easter story is a very familiar one in the communities. So this section of the gospel must have a contemporary application, an immediate purpose.

There are 5 principal movements in the story:
  1. Peter decides to go fishing and the others decide to follow him.
  2. They labour in the dark and catch nothing. It is a futile exercise.
  3. This figure appears on the shore at dawn and seems to tease them and he advises them to pay out their nets and immediately they are filled to breaking point.
  4. When they come ashore he treats them to breakfast.
  5. The prominence of Peter in every phase of the story.
  1. Given the context, the suggestion here is that, after the execution of Jesus, Peter and the other followers decided to return to the way of life they had abandoned at his call. They had been fishermen. On the death of Jesus, they believed that the Jesus Project was now over. This is the story that the late editor is telling his community. Even the original disciples had lost hope. You must not lose hope because of the present persecutions.
  2. They had worked all night and caught nothing. A Christian community that works without the Lord is engaged in a futile exercise.
  3. In the midst of their everyday activities they encounter the risen Lord. But they encounter him as shadowy figure. It is only when they respond to his voice and draw near to him that they recognise him clearly. And suddenly, their work becomes abundantly fruitful.
  4. He treats them to breakfast. This is a clear reference to the meal at the centre of the community, the breaking of the bread and the sharing of the fish. The obvious reference is to the Eucharist.
  5. Peter to the fore shows that, at least by the beginning of the second century, the successor of Peter was generally recognised as having a unique leadership role among the communities.




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